Over several months last year, thieves thwarted electronic loss prevention tags by swiping medications out of pharmacies and stores in bags lined with aluminum foil, according a federal indictment unsealed Tuesday in the Southern District of Texas.

Professional shoplifters use foil-lined "booster bags" to shield magnetic stickers from security antennae, thwarting systems that would otherwise detect a tagged item leaving the store that had not been deactivated by a cashier.

The scheme's alleged ringleader, Mohammed Zainaldin, 33, owns Quick Gas and Lube on Westheimer. His girlfriend, 23-year-old Innessa Stafeyeva, allegedly worked at a warehouse where the stolen medication was stored.

Out-of-state trips alleged

Five others are accused of taking the medications from stores including CVS and Walgreens locations in Texas and other states. During out-of-state trips, "boosters" shipped the stolen goods to Zainaldin via FedEx or UPS to avoid detection by law enforcement during routine traffic stops, according to a news release from the U.S. Attorney's Office.

Once Zainaldin got the stolen goods, he is accused of paying "boosters" in cash at his gas station. He used bank accounts to mask the illegal activity by withdrawing $10,000 or less to avoid bank transaction reporting requirements, the government alleges.

The 29-count indictment includes charges of conspiracy to transport stolen merchandise, interstate transportation of stolen goods, conspiracy to commit money laundering, and structuring monetary transactions to evade reporting requirements, as well as aiding and abetting. In addition, the government is requesting that the defendants forfeit proceeds of the scheme.